U.S. patent number 11,035,868 [Application Number 15/385,846] was granted by the patent office on 2021-06-15 for automated specimen processing systems and methods of detecting specimen-bearing microscope slides.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Timothy James Durrant, Joshua David Kenneth Harrison, Benjamin Arthur James, Matthew Ketterer, John Douglas Willems.
United States Patent |
11,035,868 |
Durrant , et al. |
June 15, 2021 |
Automated specimen processing systems and methods of detecting
specimen-bearing microscope slides
Abstract
Systems and methods that enable automated processing of
specimens carried on microscope slides are described herein. In
some embodiments, the system can include, for example, a slide
ejector assembly having a slide staging device configured to
receive a slide and an over-travel inhibitor that includes a first
vacuum port positioned to draw a first vacuum between the slide and
a standby platform as the slide is moved across at least a portion
of the standby platform. The over-travel inhibitor includes a first
sensor for detecting a presence of the slide on the standby
platform. The system can also include a transfer assembly to
transport slides away from the slide ejector assembly. The transfer
assembly can include a floating transfer head having a vacuum port
for drawing a partial vacuum for holding the slide.
Inventors: |
Durrant; Timothy James
(Camberwell, AU), Harrison; Joshua David Kenneth
(Tucson, AZ), James; Benjamin Arthur (St. Kilda,
AU), Ketterer; Matthew (Oro Valley, AZ), Willems;
John Douglas (Tucson, AZ) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. |
Tucson |
AZ |
US |
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Assignee: |
Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
(Tucson, AZ)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005617925 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/385,846 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20170097369 A1 |
Apr 6, 2017 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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PCT/EP2015/064334 |
Jun 25, 2015 |
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62018407 |
Jun 27, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N
35/0092 (20130101); G01N 35/0099 (20130101); G01N
35/00029 (20130101); G01N 1/312 (20130101); G01N
2035/00138 (20130101); B01L 9/52 (20130101); Y10T
436/112499 (20150115); G01N 2035/00059 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01N
35/00 (20060101); G01N 1/31 (20060101); B01L
9/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2013508746 |
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Mar 2013 |
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JP |
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2016502107 |
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Jan 2016 |
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JP |
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2011049608 |
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Apr 2011 |
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WO |
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2013034430 |
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Mar 2013 |
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WO |
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2014102184 |
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Jul 2014 |
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WO |
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2014105747 |
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Jul 2014 |
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WO |
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Other References
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Sep. 10, 2015
in corresponding PCT/EP2015/064334, 11 pages. cited by applicant
.
Letter dated Jan. 8, 2019 pertaining to a Notice of Allowance for
Japanese Patent Appln. No. 2016-574115. cited by applicant .
Notice of Allowance pertaining to Japanese Patent Appln. No.
2016-574115. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Whatley; Benjamin R
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Charney IP Law LLC Finetti; Thomas
M.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This patent application is a continuation of International Patent
Application No. PCT/EP2015/064334 filed Jun. 25, 2015, which claims
priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
62/018,407, filed Jun. 27, 2014. Each of the above patent
applications is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in
its entirety.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An automated specimen processing system, comprising: (a) a
standby platform configured to receive a microscope slide, wherein
the standby platform comprises: (i) a support element having a
support surface, (ii) an over-travel inhibitor comprising: a first
vacuum port, a first presence sensor for detecting a presence of
the microscope slide on the standby platform, and a
non-compressible contact surface, wherein the non-compressible
contact surface comprises at least one compressible sealing member
within or disposed on the non-compressible contact surface, and
wherein the vacuum port is fluidically coupled to a first vacuum
assembly including a first vacuum source such that when the first
vacuum source is activated air is drawn through the first vacuum
port and the microscope slide is pulled against the at least one
compressible sealing member to form a seal between the bottom
surface of the microscope slide and the at least one compressible
sealing member; and (b) one or more slide processing stations; (c)
a transfer head configured to transport microscope slides from the
standby platform to the one or more slide processing stations,
wherein the transfer head does not directly contact the standby
platform, and wherein the transfer head comprises: a second vacuum
port positioned to draw a vacuum between the microscope slide and
the transfer head so as to hold the microscope slide, and wherein
the second vacuum port is fluidically coupled to a second vacuum
assembly including a second vacuum source; a second presence sensor
for detecting a presence of the microscope slide at a bottom
surface of the transfer head; wherein the transfer head further
comprises head alignment features which engage alignment features
present on the standby platform, and wherein the standby platform
comprises a position sensor for determining a position of the
microscope slide on the standby platform and for determining
alignment of the head alignment features of the transfer head with
the alignment features present on the standby platform; and (d) a
controller in communication with the first and second vacuum
assemblies.
2. The automated specimen processing system of claim 1, wherein the
transfer head is a spring-loaded transfer head with full rotational
maneuverability, wherein the transfer head comprises movable arms
or jaws for retaining the microscope slide.
3. The automated specimen processing system of claim 2, wherein the
controller is programmed to reduce a pressure of a vacuum drawn
through the first vacuum port when the first presence sensor
indicates slide detection.
4. The automated specimen processing system of claim 3, wherein the
first and second presence sensors are calibrated to a baseline
pressure, and wherein the controller receives a slide detection
signal from the first or second presence sensor when the first or
second presence sensor detects a higher pressure than the baseline
pressure.
5. The automated specimen processing system of claim 1, wherein the
automated specimen processing system further comprises a specimen
return mechanism, wherein the specimen return mechanism is
configured to load the microscope slide into a slide carrier.
6. The automated specimen processing system of claim 1, wherein the
one or more slide processing stations comprises a third vacuum port
and a third presence sensor, wherein the third vacuum port is
fluidically coupled to a third vacuum assembly including a third
vacuum source.
7. The automated specimen processing system of claim 2, wherein the
head alignment features comprise one or more alignment pins.
8. The automated specimen processing assembly of claim 7, wherein
the alignment features present on the standby platform comprise one
or more openings for receiving the one or more alignment pins.
9. The automated specimen processing system of claim 1, wherein the
standby platform further comprises an alignment device.
10. The automated specimen processing system of claim 9, wherein
the alignment device comprises a pair of movable jaws.
11. The automated specimen processing system of claim 9, wherein
the alignment device comprises a first aligning member for engaging
a first edge of the microscope slide and a second aligning member
for engaging a second edge of the microscope slide, wherein the
first and second aligning members are positioned opposite one
another.
12. The automated specimen processing system of claim 1, wherein
the microscope slide contacts both the non-compressible contact
surface and the compressible sealing member after activation of the
vacuum source.
13. An automated specimen processing system, comprising: (a) a
standby platform configured to receive a microscope slide, wherein
the standby platform comprises: a support element having a support
surface, and an over-travel inhibitor comprising a first vacuum
port, a first presence sensor for detecting a presence of the
microscope slide on the standby platform, and a non-compressible
contact surface, wherein the non-compressible contact surface
comprises first and second compressible sealing members movable
between a compressed state and a non-compressed state, and wherein
the vacuum port is fluidically coupled to a first vacuum assembly
including a first vacuum source such that when the first vacuum
source is activated air is drawn through the first vacuum port and
the microscope slide is pulled against the first and second sealing
members to form a seal with the bottom surface of the microscope
slide; and an alignment device for moving the microscope slide from
a misaligned position to an aligned position, wherein the alignment
device comprises a pair of generally parallel jaws and wherein the
pair of generally parallel jaws are communicatively coupled to one
or more actuators which move the pair of generally parallel jaws
toward each other from an open position to a closed position to
align the microscope slide; (b) a transfer head configured to
transport microscope slides from the standby platform to one or
more slide processing stations, wherein the transfer head does not
directly contact the standby platform, and wherein the transfer
head comprises: a second vacuum port positioned to draw a vacuum
between the microscope slide and the transfer head so as to hold
the microscope slide, wherein the vacuum port is fluidically
coupled to a vacuum source; and a second presence sensor for
detecting a presence of the microscope slide; and (c) a controller
in communication with the first and second vacuum assemblies.
14. The automated specimen processing system of claim 13, wherein
the contact surface comprises a compressible sealing member used to
form a seal with the bottom surface of the microscope slide.
15. The automated specimen processing system of claim 13, wherein
the transfer head is a spring-loaded transfer head with full
rotational maneuverability, and wherein the transfer head comprises
one or more movable arms or jaws for retaining the microscope
slide, and head alignment features which engage alignment features
present on the standby platform to align the transfer head with the
standby platform.
16. The automated specimen processing system of claim 13, wherein
the standby platform further comprises a first position sensor for
determining a position of the microscope slide on the standby
platform.
17. The automated specimen processing system of claim 13, wherein
the alignment device comprises a pair of jaws, wherein at least one
jaw of the pair of jaws is movable.
18. The automated specimen processing system of claim 13, wherein
the alignment device comprises a first aligning member for engaging
a first edge of the microscope slide and a second aligning member
for engaging a second edge of the microscope slide, wherein the
first and second aligning members are positioned opposite one
another.
19. The automated specimen processing system of claim 13, wherein
each jaw of the pair of generally parallel jaws applies a same
force to opposing sides of the microscope slide.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates to systems for preparing specimens for
analysis. In particular, the disclosure relates to specimen
processing systems and methods of processing specimens.
BACKGROUND
A wide variety of techniques have been developed to prepare and
analyze biological specimens. Example techniques include
microscopy, microarray analyses (e.g., protein and nucleic acid
microarray analyses), and mass spectrometric methods. Specimens are
prepared for analysis by applying one or more liquids to the
specimens. If a specimen is treated with multiple liquids, both the
application and the subsequent removal of each of the liquids can
be important for producing samples suitable for analysis.
Microscope slides bearing biological specimens, e.g., tissue
sections or cells, are often treated with one or more dyes or
reagents to add color and contrast to otherwise transparent or
invisible cells or cell components. Specimens can be prepared for
analysis by manually applying dyes or other reagents to
specimen-bearing slides. This labor-intensive process often results
in inconsistent processing due to individual techniques among
laboratory technicians.
Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization staining processes
are often used to prepare tissue specimens. The rate of
immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization staining of sectioned
fixed tissue on a microscope slide is limited by the speed at which
molecules (e.g., conjugating biomolecules) can diffuse into the
fixed tissue from an aqueous solution placed in direct contact with
the tissue section. Tissue is often "fixed" immediately after
excision by placing it in a 10% solution of formaldehyde, which
preserves the tissue from autocatalytic destruction by
cross-linking much of the protein via methylene bridges. This
cross-linked tissue may present many additional barriers to
diffusion, including the lipid bilayer membranes that enclose
individual cells and organelles. Conjugate biomolecules (antibody
or DNA probe molecules) can be relatively large, ranging in size
from a few kilodaltons to several hundred kilodaltons, which
constrains them to diffuse slowly into solid tissue with typical
times for sufficient diffusion being in the range of several
minutes to a few hours. Typical incubation conditions are 30
minutes at 37 degrees centigrade. The stain rate is often driven by
a concentration gradient so the stain rate can be increased by
increasing the concentration of the conjugate in the reagent to
compensate for slow diffusion. Unfortunately, conjugates are often
very expensive, so increasing their concentration is wasteful and
often not economically viable. Additionally, the excessive amount
of conjugate that is driven into the tissue, when high
concentrations are used, is entrapped in the tissue, is difficult
to rinse out, and causes high levels of non-specific background
staining. In order to reduce the noise due to non-specific
background staining and increase the signal of specific staining,
low concentrations of conjugate with long incubation times are
often used to allow the conjugate to bind only to the specific
sites.
OVERVIEW OF TECHNOLOGY
Some aspects of the technology are directed, for example, to
automated specimen processing systems and methods of detecting and
transporting specimen-bearing microscope slides in automated
processing systems. In at least some embodiments, the system can
include an ejector assembly having a slide staging device
configured to receive a slide. The ejector assembly can include,
for example, an over-travel inhibitor that includes a vacuum port
positioned to draw a vacuum between the slide and a standby
platform as the slide is moved across at least a portion of the
standby platform. In one embodiment, the over-travel inhibitor can
include a sensor for detecting a presence of the slide on the
standby platform. The sensor can, for example, detect an increase
in pressure from a baseline pressure when the slide is present on
the standby platform.
Other embodiments of the technology are directed to a slide staging
device that can include a standby platform configured to receive a
microscope slide. The slide staging device can also include a first
vacuum assembly configured to draw a first vacuum to retain the
microscope slide on the standby platform. The first vacuum assembly
can include, for example, and first sensor for detecting the
presence of the microscope slide on the standby platform. The
system can also include a transfer head configured to transport
microscope slides from the standby platform to a specimen
processing station. The transfer head, in some embodiments can have
a second vacuum assembly configured to draw a second vacuum between
the microscope slide and the transfer head. The second vacuum
assembly can include, for example, a second sensor for detecting
the presence of the microscope slide at a bottom surface of the
transport head. The system can further include a controller in
communication with the first and second vacuum assemblies.
Further embodiments of the present technology are directed to
methods of detecting specimen-bearing microscope slides in an
automated processing system. In one embodiment, the method can
include sequentially moving a plurality of specimen-bearing
microscope slides from a carrier to a slide staging device. The
method can further include drawing a vacuum from a pressurization
source through a vacuum port in a standby platform, and sensing a
presence of individual specimen-bearing microscope slides at the
standby platform when a vacuum sensor detects an increase in vacuum
pressure between the vacuum port and the pressurization source.
At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to
automated specimen processing systems capable of processing
specimens carried on slides. At least some embodiments include an
automated specimen processing system comprising a slide ejector
assembly. The slide ejector assembly can include a slide staging
device configured to receive a slide. The slide ejector assembly
can also include a slide alignment device configured to engage the
slide at a plurality of contact points to move the slide from a
misaligned position to an aligned position. In one embodiment, the
slide alignment device can include a first aligning member and a
second aligning member positioned opposite the first aligning
member. The first and second aligning members can be movable
between an open position for receiving a slide and a closed
position for aligning and/or holding the slide.
The first aligning member, in some embodiments, can include a first
contact region and a second contact region for engaging a first
edge of the slide. The second aligning member, in some embodiments,
can include a third contact region for engaging a second edge of
the slide opposite the first edge. In various embodiments, the
slide alignment device is configured to engage the slide at three
points of contact. In one example, a point of contact can be a
small discrete area of the slide contacted by one of the first,
second, or third contact regions. In one embodiment, the slide can
be moved from the misaligned position to the aligned position on a
standby platform by pivoting the slide about a point (e.g., a
midpoint) between the three points of contact. In another
embodiment, moving the slide from the misaligned position to the
aligned position includes aligning a slide longitudinal axis with a
standby platform longitudinal axis.
In some embodiments, an over-travel inhibitor and a slide holding
region positioned between the over-travel inhibitor and slide
ejector. The over-travel inhibitor can be positioned, for example,
to inhibit movement of the slide past the slide holding region. In
one embodiment, the over-travel inhibitor includes a vacuum port
positioned to draw a vacuum between a slide and the standby
platform as the slide is moved across at least a portion of the
standby platform. In another embodiment, the over-travel inhibitor
can include a sensor for detecting a presence of the slide on the
standby platform.
At least some embodiments of the automated specimen processing
system include at least one specimen processing station and a
transfer head configured to transport slides from a standby
platform to specimen processing station. The transfer head, in one
embodiment, can include a head alignment feature receivable by at
least one of a corresponding alignment feature of the slide staging
device and/or an alignment feature of the specimen processing
station. In one embodiment, the head alignment feature includes a
first alignment pin and a second alignment pin and the
corresponding alignment feature of the slide staging device
includes a first opening and a second opening positioned to receive
the first alignment pin and the second alignment pin, respectively.
The transfer head, in further embodiments, can include a capture
feature configured to engage the slide and transport the slide in
the aligned position. For example, the capture feature can include
a vacuum port positioned to draw a vacuum between an upper surface
of the slide and the transfer head as the slide is transported.
At least some embodiments of an automated specimen processing
system include a controller communicatively coupled to the slide
ejector assembly. The controller, for example, can be programmed to
command the slide alignment device to move the first aligning
feature in a first direction toward a standby platform and to move
a second aligning feature in a second direction opposite the first
direction toward the standby platform to engage a slide at a
plurality of contact points to move the slide. The controller can
also be programmed to command the slide alignment device to move
the first aligning feature in the second direction and the second
aligning feature in the first direction to release the slide in the
aligned position. In another embodiment, the controller can be
programmed to control a transfer head to align with the slide
staging device and to transport the slide from the standby to a
specimen processing station.
At least some of the embodiments of the technology are directed to
an automated specimen processing system comprising a slide staging
device and a transfer head. In one embodiment, the slide staging
device can include a standby platform configured to receive a
microscope slide and an alignment device having a first aligning
member and a second aligning member positioned opposite the first
aligning member. The alignment device, in some embodiments, is
configured to engage the microscope slide at a plurality of contact
points for moving the slide from a misaligned position to an
aligned position. In some arrangements, the transfer head can be
configured to transport microscopes slides from the standby
platform to a specimen processing station. The transfer head, for
example, can have a head alignment feature receivable by at least
one of a corresponding alignment feature of the slide staging
device and/or an alignment feature of the specimen processing
station. In various embodiments, the first aligning member can have
a first contact region and a second contact region for engaging a
first edge of the microscope slide, and the second aligning member
can have a third contact region for engaging a second edge of the
microscope slide opposite the first edge.
Some of the embodiments of the technology are directed to methods
of transporting specimen-bearing microscope slides in an automated
processing system. In one embodiment, the method comprises
sequentially moving a plurality of specimen-bearing microscope
slides from a carrier to a slide staging device. The individual
specimen-bearing microscope slides can be aligned with a
longitudinal axis at the slide staging device by engaging the
individual specimen-bearing microscope slides at a plurality of
contact points. Optionally, after moving individual
specimen-bearing microscope slides from the carrier to the slide
staging device, a vacuum is drawn through an over-travel inhibitor
to capture the specimen-bearing microscope slide on a standby
platform of the slide staging device, and detecting the presence of
the slide on the standby platform. In some embodiments, the method
further includes transporting the individual specimen-bearing
microscope slides from the slide staging device to one or more
specimen processing stations.
In some embodiments, transporting individual specimen-bearing
microscope slides includes aligning a transfer head of a transport
assembly with the slide staging device and picking up the
individual specimen-bearing microscope slides from the slide
staging device while maintaining the aligned position. In other
embodiments, prior to transporting the individual specimen-bearing
microscope slides, alignment features of a transport assembly can
be aligned with corresponding alignment features at the slide
staging device. In further embodiments, transporting the individual
specimen-bearing microscope slides includes drawing a vacuum
between the individual specimen-bearing slides and a transport
assembly configured to transport the specimen-bearing slides to the
one or more specimen processing stations.
At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to an
automated slide processing apparatus configured to apply at least
one reagent to a specimen carried by a microscope slide. A slide
processing station can include a support element with a support
surface, at least one port, and a sealing member having a non-round
shape (e.g., as viewed from above). The sealing member can be
moveable between an uncompressed state and a compressed state. In
the uncompressed state, the sealing member can extend upwardly
beyond the support surface. In the compressed state, the sealing
member can be configured to maintain a seal with a backside of the
microscope slide as the microscope slide is urged against the
support surface by a vacuum drawn via the at least one port. The
sealing member, in some embodiments, can have a rounded-corner
rectangular shape (e.g., a shape with rounded corners with radii
less than the lengths of straight sides) or a rectangular shape as
viewed from above. In one embodiment, the sealing member has a
rounded-corner polygonal shape or a polygonal shape as viewed along
an axis generally perpendicular to the support surface.
In some embodiments, at least a portion of the support element can
have a non-round shape and can extend between the sealing member
and the at least one vacuum port. In one embodiment, the support
element includes a trench, and the sealing member includes a
compliant gasket having a main body and a lip. The main body can be
positioned in the trench, and the lip can extend radially outward
from the main body. In some embodiments, the lip can be moveable
between a compressed configuration and a uncompressed
configuration. In the uncompressed configuration, the lip can
extend upwardly from the trench. In the compressed configuration,
the lip can extend toward a sidewall of the trench. In one
embodiment, the lip is movable between the uncompressed
configuration and the compressed configuration without contacting
the sidewall of the trench. When the microscope slide is drawn
against the support surface, the lip can be spaced apart from a
sidewall of the trench but capable of physically contacting the
sidewall of the trench to inhibit movement of the microscope slide
relative to the support element. In one embodiment, the lip is
sufficiently stiff to prevent any rotation of the slide about a
vertical axis. As such, the slide is rotationally fixed relative to
the support surface. In one embodiment, the lip is configured to
physically contact the sidewall when the microscope slide is
rotated at least about 2 degrees about a vertical axis.
The sealing member in the compressed configuration can be
positioned on one side of a plane in which a backside surface of
the microscope slide is located when the microscope slide is pulled
against the support surface. In the uncompressed configuration, the
sealing member can be located on both sides of the plane. The
support element can include a vacuum surface surrounded by at least
one vacuum port. The vacuum surface can be spaced apart from and
positioned below the plane such that the vacuum surface and the
microscope slide at least partially define a vacuum chamber with a
height less than a height of the sealing member.
In some embodiments, the sealing member can include a lip
configured to deflect primarily in a direction perpendicular to a
backside surface of the microscope slide during use. The lip can be
movable between an uncompressed configuration for contacting the
slide moving toward the support surface and a compressed
configuration for maintaining an airtight seal. In the uncompressed
position, the lip can extend upwardly beyond the support surface.
In the compressed position, the lip can be positioned at or below
the support surface. In some embodiments, the lip can be configured
to be deflected as the microscope slide moves toward the support
surface to form the airtight seal with the slide. The sealing
member, in some embodiments, can be positioned to be located under
a label of the microscope slide during use.
In some embodiments, the automated slide processing system includes
a sensor, such as a vacuum sensor, configured to detect the
presence of a slide on the support element. For example, the vacuum
source can be fluidly connected with a vacuum inlet associated with
any one of a plurality of slide carrying surfaces, including, but
not limited to, the slide ejector assembly, the transport assembly,
on more specimen processing stations, and the specimen return
mechanism. The vacuum source and/or the inlet may include a sensor,
such as a pressure or vacuum sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor
can be calibrated to a baseline pressure and configured to report
an increase in vacuum pressure as indicative of slide presence on
the support element. Likewise, a subsequent decrease in vacuum
pressure detected by the sensor can be reported by the sensor as
indicative of slide absence (e.g., due to transfer) from the
support element. Positive indication of the presence of a slide in
any one of several locations within the automated processing system
can ensure that automated steps are completed before a next round
of automated activity is initiated.
At least some embodiments include a specimen processing system
comprising a slide ejector assembly for removing slides from a
slide carrier. The slide ejector assembly includes a carrier
handler, a slide staging device, and an actuator assembly. The
carrier handler is configured to receive and hold a slide carrier
holding a plurality of slides. The slide staging device includes a
standby platform and a slide alignment device configured to move a
slide at the standby platform from a misaligned position to an
aligned position. The actuator assembly includes a slide ejector
positioned to move relative to the slide carrier to transfer
individual slides from the slide carrier to the standby platform.
The slides can thus be transferred to the standby platform without
the use of, for example, mechanical gripper or suction cup devices
that pull slides from one location to another location.
The carrier handler, in some embodiments, is configured to move the
slide carrier relative to the slide ejector so as to sequentially
stage one of the slides for delivery to the standby platform. In
some embodiments, the carrier handler includes a carrier receiver
and a receiver rotator. The receiver rotator is capable of rotating
the slide carrier from a vertical slide orientation to a horizontal
slide orientation. In one embodiment, the carrier handler includes
a carrier receiver movable between a load position for loading a
slide carrier and a slide unload position. The carrier handler can
comprise a receiver rotator and a transport device. The receiver
rotator is coupled to the carrier receiver and is operable to move
the slide carrier held by the carrier receiver from a vertical
slide orientation to a horizontal slide orientation. The transport
device is configured to vertically move the slide carrier, which is
in the horizontal slide orientation, between the slide ejector and
the standby platform.
The slide staging device, in some embodiments, includes an ejector
stop positioned to prevent movement of the slide ejector past an
end of a slide holding region of the standby platform. The slide
ejector can be movable from a first position to a second position.
In some embodiments, the slide ejector moves through the slide
carrier to push slides out of the slide carrier.
The standby platform can include a slide holding region and an
over-travel inhibitor. The slide holding region is positioned
between the over-travel inhibitor and the slide ejector. The slide
ejector is positioned to move slides one at a time from the slide
carrier toward the over-travel inhibitor. In some embodiments, the
over-travel inhibitor includes a vacuum port positioned to draw a
vacuum between a slide and the standby platform as the slide is
moved by the slide ejector across at least a portion of the standby
platform.
The slide alignment device, in some embodiments, includes a pair of
jaws movable between an open position for receiving a slide and a
closed position for aligning the slide. In one embodiment, the jaws
center the slide relative to a raised slide holding region of the
standby platform when the jaws move from the open position to the
closed position.
The actuator assembly includes a reciprocating drive mechanism
coupled to the slide ejector and configured to move the slide
ejector so as to push a slide out of the slide carrier and onto the
standby platform. In some embodiments, the slide ejector is
moveable across a slide carrier receiving gap that is between the
actuator assembly and the slide staging device.
The specimen processing system, in some embodiments, can further
include one or more specimen processing stations and one or more
transfer heads. The transfer heads can be configured to transport
slides from the standby platform to one of the specimen processing
stations. In some embodiments, at least one of the transfer heads
can have a head alignment feature receivable by at least one of an
alignment feature of the slide staging device and/or an alignment
feature of the specimen processing station. In some embodiments,
the head alignment feature includes a first alignment pin and a
second alignment pin. The alignment feature of the slide staging
device can include a first opening and a second opening. The first
opening and the second opening are positioned to receive the first
alignment pin and the second alignment pin, respectively. In some
embodiments, the alignment feature of the specimen processing
station can include a first opening and a second opening, and the
first opening and the second opening are positioned to receive the
first alignment pin and the second alignment pin, respectively, of
the head alignment feature.
The specimen processing system, in some embodiments, can further
include a controller communicatively coupled to the slide ejector
assembly. The controller can be programmed to command the actuator
assembly to move a first slide that is positioned below a second
slide from the slide carrier to the standby platform and being
programmed to move the second slide to the standby platform after
moving the first slide to the standby platform.
In some embodiments, a method of transporting specimen-bearing
microscope slides includes delivering a carrier containing a
plurality of specimen-bearing microscope slides to an ejector
assembly. The carrier moves toward a slide staging device of the
ejector assembly. The specimen-bearing microscope slides are
sequentially moved from the carrier to the slide staging device.
The slide staging device moves from a receive slide configuration
to an align slide configuration to move the individual
specimen-bearing microscope slides at the slide staging device to
an aligned position. The individual specimen-bearing microscope
slides are transported from the slide staging device of the ejector
assembly to one or more specimen processing stations.
The carrier, in some embodiments, can be rotated to move the
plurality of specimen-bearing microscope slides from a first
orientation to a second orientation. In some embodiments, the first
orientation is a substantially vertical orientation and the second
orientation is a substantially horizontal orientation.
The specimen-bearing microscope slides, in some embodiments, can be
sequentially moved from the carrier to the slide staging device by
pushing the specimen-bearing microscope slides onto and along the
slide staging device. Additionally or alternatively, a lowermost
specimen-bearing microscope slide held by the carrier to the slide
staging device. This process can be repeated until most or all of
the slides have been removed from the slide carrier.
In certain embodiments, individual specimen-bearing microscope
slides can be carried from the slide staging device to the specimen
processing stations which are configured to individually process
the specimen-bearing microscope slides. Additionally or
alternatively, the specimen-bearing microscope slides can be
sequentially moved from the carrier to the slide staging device by
moving a first specimen-bearing microscope slide from the carrier
to the slide staging device. After transporting the first
specimen-bearing microscope slide away from the slide staging
device, a second specimen-bearing microscope slide is transported
from the carrier to the slide staging device.
The slide staging device, in some embodiments, can be moved from
the receive slide configuration to the align slide configuration by
moving a pair of jaws from an open position to a closed position to
contact and move a specimen-bearing microscope slide positioned
between the jaws from a misaligned position to an aligned position.
In certain embodiments, the jaws can center the slide relative to a
raised portion of the slide stage device upon which the slide
rests.
The specimen-bearing microscope slides, in some embodiments, are
sequentially moved from the carrier by (a) pushing the
specimen-bearing microscope slide at the slide ejection position
such that the specimen-bearing microscope slide moves onto the
slide staging device and (b) repeating process (a) until the
carrier is empty. In one embodiment, an elongated ejector is moved
through the carrier (e.g., a basket) to push the slides onto the
slide staging device.
A vacuum can be drawn between the individual specimen-bearing
microscope slides and the slide staging device. For example, a
sufficient vacuum can be drawn to inhibit or limit movement of the
slide along the slide staging device. The vacuum can be reduced or
eliminated to remove the slide from the slide staging device.
The carrier, in some embodiments, is a slide rack that includes
shelves that hold specimen-bearing microscope slides in a spaced
apart arrangement. The specimen-bearing microscope slides can be
sequentially moved from the carrier to the slide staging device by
indexing the shelves at a slide removal position adjacent to a
platform of the slide staging device. In some embodiments, a slide
at the slide removal position is slightly higher than the slide
staging device.
The specimen-bearing microscope slides can be sequentially moved
from the carrier by (a) reciprocating a slide ejector between an
initial position and an eject position to move at least one of the
specimen-bearing microscope slides from the carrier to the slide
staging device and (b) repeating process (a) to remove at least
most of the specimen-bearing microscope slides from the carrier. In
some embodiments, all the specimen-bearing microscope slides are
removed from the carrier using the slide ejector.
In some embodiments, a slide processing apparatus for processing a
specimen carried by a slide includes a staining module. The
staining module includes a slide holder platen, an opposable
element, and an opposable actuator. The slide holder platen has a
first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a slide receiving region
between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. A slide is
positioned on the slide receiving region. The slide includes a
first edge and an opposing second edge. The opposable element is
disposed proximate to the slide and includes a first edge portion
and an opposing second edge portion. The opposable actuator holds
the opposable element to form a capillary gap between the opposable
element and the slide. The first edge portion of the opposable
element is closer to the first sidewall than the first edge of the
slide. The second edge portion of the opposable element is closer
to the second sidewall than the second edge of the slide.
The slide processing apparatus, in some embodiments, includes a
dispenser positioned to deliver a supplemental liquid between the
opposable element and the slide while a liquid is held in the gap
there between. Additionally, the slide processing apparatus can
include a controller communicatively coupled to the dispenser and
programmed to command the dispenser such that the dispenser
delivers the supplemental liquid to keep a volume of liquid between
the opposable element and the slide within an equilibrium volume
range. In some embodiments, the controller is programmed to deliver
supplemental liquid at a predetermined rate. In one embodiment, the
predetermined rate is equal to or less than about 110 .mu.L per
minute at a temperature of about 37.degree. C. for bulk liquids. In
some embodiments, the predetermined rate is equal to or less than
about 7 .mu.L per minute at a temperature of about 37.degree. C.
for non-bulk reagents. The rate can be selected based on the
specimen staining protocol being processed.
The slide processing apparatus, in some embodiments, further
comprises a plurality of additional staining modules and a
controller configured to independently control each of the staining
modules. The staining modules can use disposable or reusable
opposable elements to spread and move reagents across the
specimens.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with
reference to the following drawings. The same reference numerals
refer to like parts or acts throughout the various views, unless
otherwise specified.
FIG. 1A is an exploded isometric view of a specimen processing
system. Portions of a protective housing are shown removed.
FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the slide holding area and portions
of the specimen return mechanism of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 1C is an isometric view of a vacuum system on the specimen
return mechanism shown in FIG. 1B.
FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a portion of the specimen processing
system of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a slide ejector assembly in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the slide ejector assembly of FIG. 3
with protective plates shown removed.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are side views of the slide ejector assembly of FIG.
3 with a slide carrier shown in different vertical positions.
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a slide staging device of a slide
ejector assembly with a slide ready to be removed in accordance
with an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an empty slide staging device in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are top plan views of a slide staging device with an
alignment device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed
technology.
FIGS. 11 and 12 are isometric views of a slide ejector assembly
with a protective plate shown removed.
FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the slide ejector assembly of FIGS.
11 and 12.
FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a slide staging device of a slide
ejector assembly with a slide ready to be removed in accordance
with another embodiment of the disclosed technology.
FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the slide staging device of FIG. 14
illustrating components of an alignment device in accordance with
an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
FIGS. 16A and 16B are top plan views of a slide staging device with
an alignment device in accordance with an embodiment of the
disclosed technology.
FIGS. 16C and 16D are enlarged views of the alignment device of
FIG. 16B.
FIGS. 17 and 18 are side views of a slide staging device and a
transfer assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed
technology.
FIG. 18A is an isometric view of a slide staging device and a
transfer assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed
technology.
FIG. 18B is an isometric view of a specimen processing station and
the transfer assembly of FIG. 18A in accordance with an embodiment
of the disclosed technology.
FIG. 18C is an isometric view of the transfer assembly of FIG.
18A.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a method for transferring a
specimen slide using the specimen processing system in accordance
with an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a transport assembly and a specimen
processing station in accordance with an embodiment of the
disclosed technology.
FIG. 21 is a side view of a transport assembly ready to deliver an
opposable and a slide to a specimen processing station in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
FIG. 22A is a front, top, left side isometric view of a slide
holder platen holding a slide in accordance with an embodiment of
the disclosed technology.
FIG. 22B is a front, top, left side isometric view of the slide
holder platen of FIG. 22A ready to hold a slide in accordance with
an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a slide holder platen in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology, shown
holding a slide.
FIG. 24 is a top view of the slide holder platen shown in FIG.
23.
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the slide holder platen in
accordance with the disclosed technology, shown without a
slide.
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the slide
holder platen before the slide has engaged the sealing member.
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the slide
holder platen after the slide has been positioned on the slide
holder platen.
FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of a portion of the slide holder platen
shown in FIG. 27.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is an isometric exploded view of the specimen processing
system 100 including a processing station 163, a slide ejector
assembly 200, an opposable dispenser 380, and a specimen return
mechanism 157. The processing station 163, the slide ejector
assembly 200, and the opposable dispenser 380 are positioned at the
left side of an internal environment 121. The specimen return
mechanism 157 is positioned at the right side of the internal
environment 121. A mixing station 165 is positioned generally below
the specimen return mechanism 157 and can include reservoirs (e.g.,
reservoir wells). Reagents can be mixed in the mixing station 165.
In other embodiments, the mixing station 165 can hold containers
(e.g., vials, beakers, etc.) in which substances are stored and/or
mixed. A row 152 of 20 specimen processing stations can
independently process biological specimens.
In operation, a user can load slide carriers carrying
specimen-bearing slides into the empty bays of the parking station
124 or 148 of FIG. 1A and can load opposable carriers carrying
opposables into a loading station 130. The slide carriers can be
transferred to a reader (e.g., a label reader, a barcode reader,
etc.), not shown that reads labels, if any, on the slides. The
slide carriers can be delivered to the processing station 163 which
can include, without limitation, a dryer (e.g., a dehydration
unit), a heating unit (e.g., a baking module), or other component
capable of removing water from the slides, heating specimens (e.g.,
heating specimens to adhere the specimens to the slides), or the
like. In some embodiments, the processing station 163 blows hot air
over slides to dry the slides, and if the specimens contain
paraffin, the hot air can soften the paraffin to promote adhesion
of the specimens to the slides. An air system can partially
recirculate air to control the humidity in the processing station
163. Slide carriers can be picked up and transported from the
processing station 163 to another module (e.g., a specimen
processing station, a label reader, etc.) or returned to one of the
bays of the parking station 124 or 148.
The specimen return mechanism 157 can load specimen-bearing slides
into a slide carrier. The loaded slide carriers can be transported
to the parking station 124 or 148. If the slide carriers are
compatible with an automated coverslipper, a user can transport the
slide carriers from the parking station 124 or 148 to an automated
coverslipper for coverslipping. Alternatively, the slides can be
manually coverslipped. The coverslipped slides can be analyzed
using optical equipment, e.g., a microscope or other optical
devices.
Transport of the specimen-bearing slides between various components
of the automated specimen processing system 100 can be accomplished
using a plurality of manifold assemblies configured to draw and
sense a vacuum from a vacuum port on a slide holding surface when a
slide is present. For example, FIG. 1B illustrates the slide
holding surface 158 of the specimen return mechanism 157
illustrated in FIG. 1A in accordance with an embodiment of the
present technology. A microscope slide 243 is retained by the slide
holding surface 158 via a vacuum drawn through a vacuum port 159
disposed in the slide holding surface 158 (e.g., aligned with a
label region of the slide) and fluidly connected to a vacuum system
600. FIG. 1C is an isometric view of the vacuum system 600 shown in
FIG. 1B in accordance with an embodiment of the present
technology.
The vacuum system 600 can include a manifold 602 having one or more
valves 603 and fluidly coupled to a pressurization source 604 via a
fluid line 605. The manifold 602 can be configured to draw a vacuum
through the vacuum port 159 (FIG. 1B) via fluid line 607. The
vacuum system 600 can also include a sensor 608 configured to
detect the presence of a slide 243 on the slide holding surface 158
of the specimen return mechanism 157 (FIG. 1B). The sensor 608, for
example, can be gauged to sense a baseline pressure (e.g., vacuum
draw through vacuum port 159 when no slide is present) and
recognize an increase in the pressure as confirmation of the
presence of a slide 243 on the slide holding surface 158. Positive
detection of the presence of a slide 243 by the sensor 608 can
ensure that the automated steps do not progress until previously
steps have been completed. In other embodiments, however, the
sensor 608 can be configured along the fluid line 607 and/or
proximal to the vacuum port 159 for the detection of pressure
changes associated with the vacuum port 159. As described in more
detail below, the processing station(s) 163, the slide ejector
assembly 200, as well as a slide transfer assembly 410 (not shown)
that transfers slides between stations can be provided with similar
vacuum systems and sensors.
FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a section of the row 152. An opposable
element 154 ("opposable 154") can move substance along a slide 156
to contact a specimen on the slide 156. In some embodiments,
including the illustrated embodiment, 20 slides can be processed
independently using a series of substances.
If a specimen is a biological sample embedded in paraffin, the
sample can be deparaffinized using appropriate deparaffinizing
fluid(s). After removing the deparaffinizing fluid(s), any number
of substances can be successively applied to the specimen using the
opposable 154. Fluids can also be applied for pretreatment (e.g.,
protein-crosslinking, exposing nucleic acids, etc.), denaturation,
hybridization, washing (e.g., stringency washing), detection (e.g.,
linking a visual or marker molecule to a probe), amplifying (e.g.,
amplifying proteins, genes, etc.), counterstaining, or the like. In
various embodiments, the substances include, without limitation,
stains (e.g., hematoxylin solutions, eosin solutions, or the like),
wetting agents, probes, antibodies (e.g., monoclonal antibodies,
polyclonal antibodies, etc.), antigen recovering fluids (e.g.,
aqueous- or non-aqueous-based antigen retrieval solutions, antigen
recovering buffers, etc.), solvents (e.g., alcohol, limonene, or
the like), or the like. Stains include, without limitation, dyes,
hematoxylin stains, eosin stains, conjugates of antibodies or
nucleic acids with detectable labels such as haptens, enzymes or
fluorescent moieties, or other types of substances for imparting
color and/or for enhancing contrast.
A biological specimen can include one or more biological samples.
Biological samples can be a tissue sample or samples (e.g., any
collection of cells) removed from a subject. The tissue sample can
be a collection of interconnected cells that perform a similar
function within an organism. A biological sample can also be any
solid or fluid sample obtained from, excreted by, or secreted by
any living organism, including, without limitation, single-celled
organisms, such as bacteria, yeast, protozoans, and amoebas,
multicellular organisms (such as plants or animals, including
samples from a healthy or apparently healthy human subject or a
human patient affected by a condition or disease to be diagnosed or
investigated, such as cancer). In some embodiments, a biological
sample is mountable on a microscope slide and includes, without
limitation, a section of tissue, an organ, a tumor section, a
smear, a frozen section, a cytology prep, or cell lines. An
incisional biopsy, a core biopsy, an excisional biopsy, a needle
aspiration biopsy, a core needle biopsy, a stereotactic biopsy, an
open biopsy, or a surgical biopsy can be used to obtain the
sample.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a slide carrier 170 loaded into a slide ejector
assembly 200 ("ejector assembly 200"). A plate 216 of FIG. 3 is
shown removed in FIG. 4. The ejector assembly 200 includes a slide
carrier handler 202 ("carrier handler 202"), a slide staging device
210 ("staging device 210"), and an ejector 212. The carrier handler
202 can include a carrier receiver 220 (FIG. 4) and a receiver
rotator device 224 (FIG. 4). The carrier receiver 220 includes a
pair of spaced apart arms 226 (e.g., elongate members, cantilevered
members, etc.) upon which the slide carrier 170 can rest. The
illustrated slide carrier 170 is a slide rack capable of holding
microscope slides in a spaced-apart arrangement. One slide is shown
in the carrier 170 of FIGS. 11 and 12. In some embodiments, the
slide carrier 170 can be a basket, such as a SAKURA.RTM. basket or
similar basket with shelves or dividers.
The carrier receiver 220 of FIG. 4 can include one or more
grippers, clamps, retainers, or other components that releasably
hold slide carriers. The receiver rotator device 224 can include,
without limitation, one or more motors, actuation devices, or other
components capable of rotating the arms 226. The arms 226 can move
along an arcuate track, a pivoting mechanism, or the like to rotate
the slide carrier 170. The carrier handler 202 can further include
a carriage 230 and a rail 232. The carriage 230 can travel along
the rail 232 to move the slide carrier 170 vertically.
Referring again to FIG. 3, a fully or partially loaded slide
carrier can be inserted between the plates 214, 216. The receiver
rotator device 224 (FIG. 4) can rotate the carrier receiver 220
from a loading position 213 (FIG. 3) in which slides are held in a
substantially vertical orientation to an intermediate position 215
(FIG. 5) in which slides are held in a substantially horizontal
orientation. The term "substantially horizontal" generally refers
to an angle within about +/-3 degrees of horizontal, for example,
within about +/-1 degree of horizontal, such as within about +/-0.8
degrees of horizontal. The slide carrier 170 can be moved
vertically to an unloading position 217 (FIG. 6). The ejector 212
can sequentially move the specimen-bearing slides to the staging
device 210. The staging device 210 can position the
specimen-bearing slide for subsequent transport, as discussed in
connection with FIGS. 7-9.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are isometric views of the staging device 210
including a standby platform 240 and an alignment device 242. The
standby platform 240 can include a cantilevered plate 248, a slide
holding region 250 ("holding region 250"), and an over-travel
inhibitor 254. In FIG. 7, a slide 243 is resting on the holding
region 250, which can be a raised region that is smaller than the
slide 243. The slide 243 can protrude outwardly from the holding
region 250 such that excess fluid, if any, can drain from the slide
243 onto the plate 248 without wicking underneath the slide 243
(e.g., between the slide 243 and a surface 361 of FIG. 8). In some
embodiments, the standby platform 240 can include, without
limitation, one or more sensors, readers, heaters, dryers, or other
components that facilitate processing of the slides.
Referring to FIG. 8, the over-travel inhibitor 254 can accurately
position a slide without physically contacting specimens on the
slide, label edges, and/or other areas of the slide that may affect
positioning accuracy. In some embodiments, the over-travel
inhibitor 254 can position a slide without contacting the top of
the slide at locations, for example, near overhanging labels, which
can affect positioning accuracy. The over-travel inhibitor 254
includes a vacuum port 290 and a vacuum source 281 fluidically
coupled to the vacuum port 290 via one or more fluid lines 283
(e.g., internal fluid lines, external fluid lines, etc.). The
vacuum source 281 can include, without limitation, one or more
pressurization devices, pumps, or other types of devices capable of
drawing a vacuum via an opening 310. A bottom surface of the slide
243 (FIG. 7) and a contact surface 300 of the vacuum port 290 can
form a seal to maintain the vacuum. In some embodiments, the
contact surface 300 can comprise one or more compressible materials
(e.g., rubber, silicon, or the like) capable of maintaining an
airtight seal. In other embodiments, the contact surface 300 can
comprise one or more non-compressible materials (e.g., aluminum,
stainless steel, etc.) and, in some embodiments, may include one or
more sealing members (e.g., O-rings, gaskets, sealing cups, etc.)
used to form a seal with the slide 243. In further embodiments and
as discussed in more detail below, the contact surface 300 and/or
the vacuum port 290 can include a pressure sensor, a vacuum sensor,
or other sensor for detecting the presence of a slide 243 on the
standby platform 240.
The holding region 250 includes ends 320, 322 and a main body 328
extending between the ends 320, 322. An ejector stop 314 is defined
by the end 320 and can be used to reference the position of an end
of the slide 243. The ejector stop 314 can be a sidewall or edge of
the end 320. In other embodiments, the ejector stop can be one or
more protrusions.
As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, the staging
device 210 includes the alignment device 242. In one embodiment,
the alignment device 242 includes a pair of generally parallel jaws
270, 272 that protrude upwardly through openings 277, 279,
respectively, and vertically past the holding region 250. The
alignment device 242 can include, without limitation, one or more
actuators (e.g., pneumatic actuators, electromechanical actuators,
etc.) capable of moving the jaws 270, 272. The alignment device 242
can align the slide to facilitate slide pickup and handling because
a transfer head may be unable to properly pick up and handle a
misaligned slide. In some embodiments, a label of the slide can be
spaced apart from the jaws 270, 272 to prevent unwanted adherence
of the slide to the jaws 270, 272. For example, adhesive (e.g.,
adhesive that couples the label to the slide), including excessive
adhesive surrounding the label, can be kept spaced apart from the
jaws 270, 272.
FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal axis 271 of the slide 243 in a
misaligned position. The longitudinal axis 271 is not parallel to a
longitudinal axis 273 of the holding region 250. The jaws 270, 272
can move from an open position (FIG. 9) toward one another
(indicated by arrows 280, 282) to a closed position (FIG. 10) so as
to reposition the slide 243. In some embodiments, the longitudinal
axis 271 of the slide 243 in an aligned position can be
substantially aligned (e.g., parallel) with the longitudinal axis
273 of the holding region 250. After aligning the slide 243, the
jaws 270, 272 can be returned to the open position and the slide
243, now aligned, can be picked up. The configuration and operation
of the alignment device 242 can be selected based on the desired
position of the aligned slide. Additionally, the alignment device
242 can be used to align slides having different dimensions because
the jaws 270, 272 apply the same force to opposing sides of the
slide.
FIGS. 11-13 show the ejector 212, which includes an ejector element
330, a base 334, and a drive mechanism 336. The ejector element 330
includes an elongate portion 340 positioned in a recess 341 in the
base 334 and a mounting portion 342 coupled to a rod 344 of the
drive mechanism 336. The drive mechanism 336 can provide
reciprocating linear motion and can comprise, without limitation,
one or more stopper motors, pistons (e.g., pneumatic pistons,
hydraulic pistons, etc.), pressurization devices (e.g., pumps, air
compressors, etc.), sensors, or the like. The illustrated rod 344
has been moved in the direction indicated by arrow 350 to move the
ejector element 330 from a first or initial position 351
(illustrated in phantom line in FIG. 21) across a slide carrier
receiving gap 352 ("gap 352") such that a head 360 of the elongate
portion 340 pushes a slide onto the standby platform 240. The head
360 can comprise a compliant material (e.g., rubber, plastic, etc.)
to avoid damaging the slides. In some embodiments, the head 360 can
push the slide along the surface 361 (FIG. 8) of the holding region
250 until the slide is at the desired location. Slides can be
removed from the slide carrier 170 one at a time until the slide
carrier 170 is empty.
Referring again to FIG. 1A, a user can load a slide carrier holding
specimen-bearing slides into the parking station 124 or 148. A
transfer mechanism can transport the slide carrier to the ejector
assembly 200. The transfer mechanism can include, without
limitation, one or more robotic handlers or arms, X-Y-Z transport
systems, conveyors, or other automated mechanisms capable of
carrying items between locations. In some embodiments, the transfer
mechanism includes one or more end effectors, grippers, suction
devices, holders, clamps, or other components suitable for gripping
the slide carrier.
The ejector assembly 200 moves the slide carrier 170 to the
unloading position 217 (FIG. 6). The slide carrier 170 is moved
vertically to index slides relative to a reference position. The
reference position can be a plane (e.g., a fixed slide removal
plane 275 shown in FIG. 6) defining a slide removal position. A
bottom of the slide to be removed can be generally coplanar or
slightly above the surface 361 (FIG. 8). The drive mechanism 336
can move the ejector element 330 horizontally to move the elongate
portion 340 (FIG. 19) through the carrier 170 to push the slide
onto the surface 361 (FIG. 8). A vacuum can be drawn by the slide
over-travel inhibitor 254 to inhibit movement of the slide 243 as
the head 360 contacts the ejector stop 314 (FIG. 8). In some
embodiments a sensor 284, such as a vacuum sensor, can be present
along a vacuum fluid line 283 and/or associated with the
over-travel inhibitor 254 to positively detect the presence of the
slide 243. The head 360 can then be moved away from the slide 243.
The jaws 270, 272 can be moved from the open position to the closed
position to align the slide 243. The aligned slide 243 can be
retrieved and transported to a specimen processing station. The
drive mechanism 336 can move the ejector element 330 back and forth
and the slides can be indexed to sequentially deliver all of the
slides to the staging device 210.
To protect the specimens, the lowermost slide in the slide carrier
170 can be ejected first. By starting with the lowermost slide, the
specimen(s) on the vertically adjacent slide can be facing away
from the head 360 and therefore protected. If the head 360 is
vertically misaligned with the slide to be removed, the head 360
may strike the bottom of the vertically adjacent slide without
dislodging the specimen(s) on the upper surface of the vertically
adjacent slide. After removing the lowermost slide, the lowermost
slide left in the slide carrier 170 can be removed. This process
can be repeated until the slide carrier 170 is empty. Other
indexing sequences can be used to remove the slides.
The empty slide carrier 170 can be returned to the loading position
(FIG. 3) and then transported to one of the bays of the parking
station 124 or 148. The empty slide carrier 170 can be removed from
the parking station 124 or 148 and filled with specimen-bearing
slides and returned to the parking station 124 or 148.
Alternatively, the empty slide carrier 170 can be filled with
processed specimen-bearing slides using the ejector assembly 200. A
pusher assembly can be used to push processed specimen-bearing
slides on the staging device 210 into a slide carrier. Thus, the
ejector assembly 200 can be used to both unload and load slide
carriers.
FIGS. 14-18 illustrate a staging device 210a of a slide ejector
assembly 200a configured in accordance with an additional
embodiment of the present technology. FIGS. 14 and 15 are isometric
views of the staging device 210a that includes features generally
similar to the features of the staging device 210 described above
with reference to FIGS. 8-10. For example, the staging device 210a
includes a standby platform 240a (similar to standby platform 240
shown in FIG. 8) having a cantilevered plate 248a, a slide holding
region 250a ("holding region 250a"), and an over-travel inhibitor
254a (similar to over-travel inhibitor 254 shown in FIG. 8). The
staging device 210a also includes an alignment device 242a
configured to move the slide 243 from a misaligned position on the
standby platform 240a to an aligned position. However, in the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the alignment device 242a does
not include a pair of generally parallel jaws 270, 272 (FIG. 8)
that protrude upwardly through openings 277, 279 (FIG. 8) in the
standby platform 240a.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, the alignment device 242a
includes a first aligning member 362 for engaging a first edge 244
of the slide 243 and a second aligning member 364 positioned
opposite the first aligning member 362 for engaging a second edge
245 of the slide 243. Engagement of the first and second sides 244,
245 of the slide 243 can pivot or otherwise move the slide 243 from
an unaligned orientation on the slide holding region 250a to an
aligned orientation on the holding region 250a to facilitate slide
pickup and handling by a transfer apparatus (not shown).
Referring to FIG. 15, the first and second aligning members 362,
364 are secured to blocks 365, 366 by first and second fasteners
367, 368 (e.g., pins, bolts, screws or other mechanical fasteners
known to those in the art). For example, the blocks 365, 366 can
include holes 369, 370 for receiving the fasteners 367, 368,
respectively. The blocks 365, 366 can further include one or more
protrusions 371, 372 for allowing rotation or pivoting of the
aligning members 362, 364 and for engaging the first and second
aligning members 362, 364, respectively, to limit rotation or
pivoting of the aligning members 362, 364 with respect to the
blocks 365, 366 and/or during engagement with the slide 243
(described below). Openings 373, 374 (one identified) can be
disposed in the aligning members 362, 364 for receiving the
protrusions 371, 372. In other embodiments, protrusions may be
provided on the aligning members 362, 364 that are receivable in
openings provided in the blocks 365, 366. In some embodiments, the
protrusions 371, 372 may be non-circular having a rectangular or
other geometrical shape. The openings 373, 374 can be shaped to
accommodate the corresponding geometrical shape of the protrusions
371, 372, or as illustrated in FIG. 15, the openings 373, 374 can
be through-holes that receive the protrusions 371, 372.
The alignment device 242a can include, without limitation, one or
more actuators (e.g., pneumatic actuators, electromechanical
actuators, etc.) capable of moving the blocks 365, 366 having the
aligning members 362, 364 secured thereto toward and away from a
longitudinal axis 273a of the holding region 250a (shown in FIGS.
16A and 16B). For example, FIGS. 16A and 16B are enlarged top views
of the staging device 210a illustrating stages in a process for
aligning a longitudinal axis 271a of the slide 243 with the
longitudinal axis of 273a of the holding region 250a. FIG. 16A
shows the longitudinal axis 271a of the slide 243 in a misaligned
position. The longitudinal axis 271a is not parallel to the
longitudinal axis 273a of the holding region 250a. The first and
second aligning members 362, 364 can move from an open position
(FIG. 16A) toward one another (indicated by arrows 375, 376) to a
closed position (FIG. 16B) where the aligning members 362, 364
engage or come in contact with the first and second sides 244, 245
of the slide 243 to reposition the slide.
In one embodiment, the first and second aligning members 362, 364
together contact the slide 243 at three separate points of contact.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16B and 16C, the first
aligning member 362 has a first contact region 377 and a second
contact region 378 configured to engage the first edge 244 of the
slide 243. As illustrated in FIGS. 16B and 16D, the second aligning
member 364 has a third contact region 379 configured to engage the
second edge 245 of the slide 243. In one embodiment, the area of
the point of contact is the portion of the slide 243 engaged by the
first, second and third contact regions 377, 378, 379. In some
arrangements, the points of contact are relatively small, discrete
portions of the slide 243 (e.g., along the first and second edges
244, 245). In some embodiments, the surface areas defined by the
three points of contact and engaged by the first, second and third
contact regions 377, 378, 379 are approximately the same; however,
in other embodiments, the surface areas can vary. In one
embodiment, the third contact region 379 is configured to contact
the second edge 245 of the slide 243 in a lateral position along
the slide 243 that is between the lateral positions contacted by
the first contact region 377 and second contact region 378 on the
first edge 244 of the slide 243.
Referring to FIG. 16B, when the first and second contact regions
377, 378 of the first aligning member 362 and the third contact
region 379 of the second aligning member 364 engage the first and
second sides 244, 245 of the slide 243, respectively, the slide 243
can move (e.g., pivot about a midpoint or axis of rotation 246
created or defined by the three separate contact points) to an
aligned position. Movement of the first and second alignment
members 362, 364 via blocks 365, 366 can continue until the slide
243 is engaged by the first, second and third contact regions 377,
378 and 379 and the slide 243 no longer moves (e.g., comes to rest
on the holding region 250a in an aligned position). In some
embodiments, the first and second aligning members 362, 364 may
include one or more pressure sensors 381 (FIGS. 16C and 16D) on or
adjacent to one or more contact regions 377, 378, 379 to ensure
that the aligning members 362, 364 are applying a sufficient amount
of force to move the slide 243 and/or are not compressing the slide
243 in a manner that could break or compromise the slide. In some
embodiments, the contact regions 377, 378, 379 may include a
coating and/or a compliant material (e.g., rubber, plastic, etc.)
to avoid damaging the slides.
While FIGS. 16A-16D show the first aligning member 362 having the
first contact region 377 and the second contact region 378 and the
second aligning member 364 having the third contact region 379, or
other arrangements can be used. For example, the second aligning
member 364 can include two contact regions and the first aligning
member 362 may include one contact region. Further, while the
aligning members 362, 364 are illustrated as having an irregular
shaped geometry for providing first, second and third contact
regions 377, 378, 379, other geometries may be suitable for
providing first, second and third contact regions. In other
embodiments, the aligning members 362, 364 may provide more than
three separate (e.g., discrete) contact regions for engaging the
slide 243.
Referring back to FIG. 16B, the longitudinal axis 271a of the slide
243 in an aligned position can be substantially aligned (e.g.,
parallel) with the longitudinal axis 273a of the holding region
250a. After aligning the slide 243, the aligning members 362, 364
can disengage the slide 243 and be returned to the open position by
moving the blocks 365, 366 in a direction opposite to the direction
of the arrows 375, 376 (FIG. 16A). Optionally, the staging device
210a may include sensors 382 or other signaling device for
determining the presence of the slide 243 on the standby platform
240a and/or determining when the longitudinal axis 271a is
substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis 273a (FIG. 16B).
For example, the standby platform 240a and/or the holding region
250a may include position sensors, pressure sensors, light sensors
and the like for determining the relative position of the slide 243
with respect to the holding region 250a. Similar to the
configuration and operation of the alignment device 242 (FIGS.
8-10), the alignment device 242a can be configured to align slides
having different dimensions and align them to a desired position on
the standby platform 240a.
After aligning the slide 243, the slide can be retrieved and
transported to a specimen processing station (not shown). FIGS. 17
and 18 illustrate a portion of a transfer assembly 410 having a
slide transfer head 412 ("transfer head 412") configured to pick up
the aligned slide 243 from the standby platform 240a while
maintaining the proper alignment. Referring to FIG. 17, the
transfer head 412 includes a plurality of head alignment features
413 (e.g., 2 head alignment features) on a lower surface 415 of the
transfer head 412. Head alignment features 413 can include, without
limitation, pins (e.g., elongate rods), protrusions, openings
(e.g., openings defined by bushings, openings in plates, etc.), or
the like. In some embodiments, the head alignment features 413 can
be in the form of alignment pins (e.g., first and second alignment
pins) that can be inserted into corresponding alignment features
414 (shown individually as 414a and 414b) on the staging device
210a (e.g., on cantilevered plate 248a), illustrated in FIGS. 22
and 25. In other embodiments, the head alignment features 413 are
openings and the corresponding alignment features 414 are upwardly
protruding pins. In some embodiments, the transfer head 412 can be
a floating head (e.g., a floating head is an alignment head that
does not contact the staging device 210a while the alignment
features 413 may) to limit or prevent binding between the head
alignment features 413 and the corresponding alignment features
414. In some embodiments, the transfer head 412 and/or the staging
device 210a can include position sensors (not shown) to ensure
proper alignment of the head alignment features 413 with respect to
the corresponding alignment features 414.
The transfer head 412 can also include one or more capture features
416. The capture feature 416 can include, without limitation, one
or more suction devices (e.g., suction cups, pumps, vacuum pumps,
etc.), mechanical grippers (e.g., jaws, clamps, pinchers, magnets,
etc.), or other retention features that, for example, prevent
dropping and/or transferring the slide 243 in a misaligned state.
For example, the transfer head 412 can include a vacuum port 417 on
the lower surface 415. A vacuum source 418 can provide suction at
the vacuum port 417 via supply line 419 that is capable of picking
up the slide 243 from the staging device 210a and holding the slide
during further transport. The vacuum provided by vacuum source 418
can be reduced and/or eliminated to release the slide 243 following
transfer. Sensors 405 (e.g., pressure sensors, air pressure
sensors, light sensors, etc.) can be provided on the lower surface
415 and/or within the vacuum port 417, the vacuum source 418 and/or
the supply line 419 that detect the presence of a slide 243
retained by the transfer head 412. In some embodiments, the
controller 144 (FIG. 1A) can detect changes in pressure associated
with the vacuum source 418 and/or vacuum port 417 via the sensor
405 and detect changes in pressure associated with the vacuum
source 281 and/or vacuum port 290 (FIG. 8) via the sensor 403
associated with the over-travel inhibitor 254a. In one embodiment,
vacuum pressure at the over traveler inhibitor 254a can be reduced
by the controller when the sensor 405 indicates positive detection
(and increased pressure) of the slide 243 at the vacuum port 417 on
the transfer head 412.
In one embodiment, the sensor 405 can be a vacuum sensor that can
sense and confirm slide engagement with the transfer head 412. For
example, a vacuum sensor gauge can be pre-calibrated to a baseline
pressure and further calibrated to sense an increase in vacuum
pressure when a slide 243 is engaged. Confirmation of slide
engagement by the sensor 405 can cause further programming
instruction in the controller 144 (FIG. 1A) to continue with a next
step of transporting the slide 243.
FIG. 17 shows the transfer head 412 in a non-engaged position above
the staging device 210a during an alignment phase of the slide
transfer. The head alignment feature 413 is shown aligned with the
corresponding alignment feature 414a. FIG. 18 shows the transfer
head 412 lowered (e.g., via a drive mechanism, not shown) in an
engaged position above the staging device 210a. The head alignment
feature 413 (e.g., pin) is shown received within the opening of the
corresponding alignment feature 414a. The vacuum port 417 is shown
engaged with an upper surface 247 of the slide 243 (e.g., a label
of the slide 243) such that when the vacuum source 418 is activated
(e.g., by controller 144 of FIGS. 1 and 1A) and the over-travel
inhibitor 254a associated with standby platform 240a is disengaged
(e.g., vacuum provided by stage vacuum source 281a is reduced
and/or eliminated), the slide 243 can be picked up by the transfer
head 412. The slide 243 can be removed from the staging device 210a
as the transfer head 412 is lifted to the non-engaged position
above the staging device 210a. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the head
alignment features 413 align with the corresponding alignment
features 414 such that the slide 243 can be maintained in the
aligned position during slide pickup. After removing the slide 243
from the staging device 210a, the transfer head 414 can transport
the slide 243 to the specimen processing station (not shown).
FIG. 18A is an isometric view of the staging device 210 and a
transfer assembly 431 with a transfer head 432 in accordance with
an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
The transfer head 432 can include head alignment features 435 that
can be aligned with corresponding alignment features 414. The
transfer head 432 can include, without limitation, one or more
joints, pins, or other features that allow desired motion. For
example, the transfer head 432 can be a spring-loaded floating head
with full rotational maneuverability, and a confirmatory sensor
(e.g., vacuum sensor) coupled to the underside of the transfer head
432 to ensure reliable handling (e.g., pick-up, transport,
drop-off, etc.) despite potential misalignment while handling.
FIG. 18B is an isometric view of a specimen processing station 441
(e.g., a wetting module) and the transfer assembly 431 in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The
floating transfer head 432 repeatedly picks up and drops off items
(e.g., opposable elements, slides), and the head alignment features
435 can engage corresponding alignment features 445 to provide
alignment.
FIG. 18C is an isometric view of the transfer assembly 431 in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The
transfer assembly 431 is generally similar to the transfer assembly
410 of FIGS. 17 and 18, except as detailed below. The transfer head
432 can include a vacuum port 461 on the lower surface 463. A
vacuum source (not shown) can provide suction at the vacuum port
461 via supply line to pick up the slide and hold the slide during
further transport, as discussed in connection with FIGS. 17 and 18.
Sensors (e.g., pressure sensors, air pressure sensors, light
sensors, etc.) can be provided on the lower surface 463 and/or
within the vacuum port 461, the vacuum source, and/or the supply
line and can detect the presence of a slide retained by movable
arms or jaws 471, 473 (e.g., spring loaded jaws) of the transfer
head 432. The arms 471, 473 can be moved to pick up and release
items (e.g., slides, opposable elements, etc.). Successful
handoff/pickup can be confirmed with dual interface vacuum sensors
that preclude the transfer assembly 431 from moving on before it
has successfully picked up and/or dropped off the slide (or
opposable element).
In one embodiment, the floating head 432 has a gimbal on three axes
(e.g., axes parallel to the illustrated X, Y and Z axes shown in
FIG. 18A). In one embodiment, the head 432 has five degrees of
freedom to move freely such that the alignment features 435 readily
engage corresponding alignment features (e.g., corresponding
alignment features 414 of FIG. 18A and corresponding alignment
features 445 of FIG. 8B) on the platforms of the slide ejector
departure, slide processing station and specimen return assemblies,
or the like.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a method 1000 for
transferring a specimen slide using the specimen processing system
100 described above and with reference to FIGS. 19-26. With
reference to FIGS. 11-19 together, the method 1000 can include
moving a specimen slide 243 from a slide carrier 170 (FIG. 6) to
the standby platform 240a of the staging device 210a (block 1002).
The slide 243 can be moved using the ejector 212 by engaging the
ejector element with the slide 243 to push the slide onto the slide
holding region 250a of the standby platform 240a. The method 1000
can also include drawing a vacuum through the over-travel inhibitor
254a to stop forward movement of the slide 243 on the slide holding
region 250a (block 1004). The method 1000 can further include
detecting the presence of the slide 243 on the holding region 250a
(block 1006). In some embodiments, the presence of the slide 243
can be detected by the controller 144 by changes in the vacuum
suction of the over-travel inhibitor 254a. For example, sensors 403
(FIGS. 17 and 18) can be provided to detect the change in pressure
within the vacuum port 290, fluid lines 283 and/or vacuum source
281 (see FIG. 8). In other embodiments, the presence of the slide
on the standby platform 240a can be detected using other sensors
382 (e.g., pressure sensors, light sensors, motion sensors, etc.).
For example, the standby platform 240a can include one more sensors
382 (e.g., position sensors, pressure sensors, light sensors) for
detecting the presence of the slide 243. The method 1000 can also
include aligning the slide 243 from a misaligned position to an
aligned position (block 1008). For example, an actuator can move
aligning members 362, 364 toward the slide 243 such that first,
second and third contact regions 377, 378, 379 engage the slide to
move the slide to the aligned position. Following alignment of the
slide 243, the actuator can move the aligning members 362, 364 back
to a starting position and away from the aligned slide. The method
1000 can further include transporting the slide 243 from the
standby platform 240a to, for example, a specimen processing
station while maintaining alignment of the slide (block 1010). For
example, a transfer assembly 410 having a transfer head 412 can be
aligned with the standby platform 240a via alignment of the head
alignment features 413 on the transfer head 412 with corresponding
alignment features 414 on the standby platform 240a. The transfer
head 412 can be configured to engage, pick up and transport the
slide 243 with the capture feature 416. In one embodiment, the
capture feature 416 can use a vacuum provided by the vacuum source
418 via the vacuum port 417. Positive detection of the presence of
the slide 243 can be confirmed by a change in vacuum pressure
reported by sensor 405 to the controller 144.
FIG. 20 shows a transport assembly 420 and a specimen processing
station in the form of a slide processing station. The transport
assembly 420 can include, without limitation, a drive mechanism 434
(e.g., a rack drive mechanism, a belt drive mechanism, etc.) and a
lift mechanism 440. The drive mechanism 434 can move the lift
mechanism 440 horizontally, as indicated by arrows 450, 452. The
lift mechanism 440 can move end effectors in the form of transfer
heads 454, 456 vertically, as indicated by arrows 462, 464. The
transfer heads can include, without limitation, one or more suction
devices (e.g., suction cups, pumps, vacuum pumps, etc.), mechanical
grippers (e.g., jaws, clamps, etc.), retention features (e.g.,
features that prevent dropping of slides/opposables), or the like.
For example, the transfer head 454 can be a pickup head (e.g., a
rotatable or floating pickup head) capable of picking up and
holding an opposable 457 via a vacuum. The vacuum can be reduced
(e.g., eliminated) to release the opposable 457. Additionally or
alternatively, a mechanical gripper can hold the opposable 457.
FIG. 21 shows the transfer heads 454, 456 delivering the opposable
457 and slide 458, respectively, to the wetting module 430. The
transfer head 456 includes head alignment features 490, 492
receivable by complementary alignment features 500, 502 (FIG. 20)
of the standby platform 240 and/or alignment features 510, 512
(FIG. 30) of the wetting module 430. Alignment features can
include, without limitation, pins (e.g., elongate rods),
protrusions, openings (e.g., openings defined by bushings, openings
in plates, etc.), or the like. In some embodiments, the alignment
features 490, 492 are in the form of pins that can be inserted into
corresponding alignment features 510, 512 in the form of openings
to align the slide 243 with the wetting module 430. The transfer
head 456 can be a floating head to limit or prevent binding between
the alignment features 490, 492 and the alignment features 510,
512, respectively. In other embodiments, the alignment features
490, 492 are openings and the alignment features 510, 512 are
upwardly protruding pins.
After removing the processed slide 243, the transfer head 456 can
transport an unprocessed slide 458 from a staging device to the
wetting module 430. The alignment features 490, 492 can be
positioned above the alignment features 510, 512, and the transfer
head 456 can be lowered to insert the alignment features 490, 492
into the alignment features 510, 512, respectively, until the slide
458 rests on the wetting module 430. The transfer head 456 can
release the slide 458. After processing the specimen, the transfer
head 456 can retrieve and load another slide into the wetting
module 430. The slides can be retained at the wetting module 430 to
prevent damage to the slide in the event of a power outage or other
event that may affect system performance.
FIGS. 22A and 22B are isometric views of the slide holder platen
601 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The
slide holder platen 601 of FIG. 22A supports the slide 243. The
slide holder platen 601 of FIG. 22B is empty. The slide holder
platen 601 can include a support element 650 and a mounting base
651. The support element 650 includes a raised slide receiving
region 680 having a contact or contact surface 679 (FIG. 22B). A
port 683 (FIG. 22B) is positioned to draw a vacuum to hold the
slide 243 against the contact surface 679. The port 683 can be a
suction cup or other feature configured to facilitate drawing a
strong vacuum between the slide 243 against the contact surface
679. In one embodiment, one or more of the sensors 620a/620b can be
configured to detect a change in pressure at the port 683
indicating the presence of the slide 243 at the contact surface
679. For example, the sensor(s) 620 can be calibrated at a baseline
pressure (e.g., the pressure at the port 683 when no slide is
present) and be further calibrated to detect an increase in
pressure at the port 683. The increase in pressure sensed at port
683 can positively detect the presence of the slide 243 at the
contact surface 679. In another embodiment, a sensor (not shown)
can be positioned proximal to the port 683 and configured to detect
relative changes in pressure associated with the port 683 for
detection of the slide 243 at the contact surface 679.
The support element 650 includes inner walls 681 positioned in
outer walls 652 of the mounting base 651. The inner and outer walls
681, 652 form heatable sidewalls 682. In some embodiments, the
sidewalls 682 can be positioned on both sides of the contact
surface 679 and can output heat energy to the surrounding air to
control the temperature of the slide 243, processing fluid, and/or
specimen(s). In some embodiments, the sidewalls 682 can also be
positioned to laterally surround the entire slide 243. The mounting
base 651 can be made of an insulating material (e.g., plastic,
rubber, polymers, or the like) that can insulate the support
element 650 from other components. In some embodiments, the
mounting base 651 is made of a material with a thermal conductivity
that is substantially less than the thermal conductivity of the
material of the support element 650. The mounting base 651 can
surround and protect the support element 650 and includes a
coupling region 657 to which the opposable actuator 525 can be
coupled.
FIGS. 23 and 24 are perspective and top views, respectively, of
another embodiment of a slide holder platen 701 shown with a slide
243 and configured in accordance with the present technology. FIG.
25 is a perspective view of the slide holder platen 701 without a
slide 243. Referring to FIGS. 23-25, the slide holder platen 701 is
generally identical to the slide holder platen 601 discussed above
in connection with FIGS. 22A-22B, except as detailed below. The
slide holder platen 701 can include a support element 703, a
sealing member 709, and a vacuum port 721. The support element 703
includes a raised slide-receiving region 707, and the sealing
member 709 is configured to engage a bottom surface of the slide
243 as the slide is placed on the slide-receiving region 707. The
sealing member 709 can be positioned around the vacuum port 721
such that, when the slide 243 engages the sealing member 709, a
vacuum is drawn via the vacuum port 721 to pull the slide 243
against the sealing member 709 to maintain a seal (e.g., an
airtight seal) and prevent or limit unwanted movement (e.g.,
rotational movement and/or translational movement as indicated by
arrows 801a-b and 799a-b, respectively, in FIG. 24) of the slide
243 relative the slide-receiving region 707.
Referring now to FIG. 25, the slide-receiving region 707 can have a
first portion 733 and a second portion 735 disposed within an
opening 745 of the first portion 733. The vacuum port 721 can be
disposed at a top surface 735a of the second portion 735 at a
generally central location. The vacuum port 721 can be fluidically
coupled to a vacuum source 717 via one or more fluid lines 719
(e.g., internal fluid lines, external fluid lines, etc.). For
example, the fluid line(s) 719 can extend from an opening 705 at
the top surface 735a through the second portion 735 to the vacuum
source 717. The vacuum source 717 can include, without limitation,
one or more pressurization devices, pumps, or other types of
devices capable of drawing a vacuum via the opening 705. In some
embodiments, a vacuum pressure sensor 759 can be provided at the
vacuum port 721, the vacuum source 717 or along the fluid line(s)
719, as shown in FIG. 27. As shown in FIG. 24, when the slide 243
is positioned on the slide-receiving region 707, the
specimen-bearing portion 729 of the slide 243 is generally aligned
with the first portion 733, and the label-bearing portion 723 of
the slide 243 is generally aligned with the second portion 735. As
such, a vacuum generated by the vacuum port 721 can be localized to
the label-bearing portion 723 of the slide 243 to avoid disrupting
thermal processing of the specimen-bearing portion 729.
The second portion 735 and opening 745 can individually have a
non-round shape (as viewed from above). As used herein, "non-round"
refers to any shape other than a true circle (i.e., a shape having
a substantially constant radius at every point around its
perimeter). For example, in some embodiments the second portion 735
and/or opening 745 can have a rectangular shape with rounded
corners. In other embodiments, the second portion 735 and/or
opening 745 can have any non-round shape, size, and/or
configuration, such as a rounded-corner polygonal shape, a
polygonal shape, an oval, an ellipse, and the like. In some
embodiments (including the illustrated embodiment), the second
portion 735 and the opening 745 can have generally the same
non-round shape, and in some embodiments the second portion 735 and
the opening 745 can have different non-round shapes.
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional side view of the platen 701 as a slide
243 is being positioned on the slide-receiving region 707 but
before a backside 243a of the slide 243 has made contact with the
sealing member 709 in an uncompressed state. As shown in FIG. 26,
at least a portion of the main body 747 is in contact with the
inner sidewall 741, outer sidewall 739, and floor portion 743 of
the trench 737. The lip 749 is spaced apart from the outer sidewall
739 of the trench 737 and extends upwardly out of the trench 737
beyond the top surface 733a of the first portion 733. The lip 749
can also extends upwardly out of the trench 737 beyond the
horizontal plane (imaginary plane) defined by the top surface 733a.
For example, the lip 749 can extend a distance 753 from the top
surface 733a. As such, the lip 749 is configured to engage the
backside surface 243a of the slide 243 before the backside surface
243a contacts the top surface 733a of the first portion 733. This
way, the sealing member 709 absorbs the contact forces associated
with the placement of the slide 243 on the slide-receiving region
707, thus easing the transition of the slide 243 onto the
slide-receiving region 707.
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional side view of the platen 701 after the
slide 243 has been positioned on the slide-receiving region 707
(e.g., the sealing member 709 is in the compressed state), and FIG.
28 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 27. As shown in FIG.
27, the backside surface 243a of the slide 243 contacts the lip 749
of the sealing member 709 as well as the top surface 733a of the
first portion 733. Because of the height differential between the
first and second portions 733, 735, the backside surface 243a of
the slide 243 is separated from the top surface 735a of the second
portion 735 by a distance 781 (see FIG. 28). As such, the
pressurized port 721 is positioned below and spaced apart from the
backside 243a of the slide 243 such that the top surface 735a of
the second portion 735 and the backside surface 243a of the slide
243 at least partially define a vacuum chamber 757. For example,
when the vacuum source is activated, fluid and/or air between the
backside 243a of the slide 243, a portion of the sealing member 709
(e.g., lip 749 and/or exterior surface 761 of the main body 747),
the inner sidewall 741, and/or the top surface 735a of the second
portion 735 is drawn through the vacuum port 721 (as indicated by
arrows 755). As a result, the slide 243 is pulled against the
sealing member 709, thereby forming a seal. The seal secures the
positioning of the slide 243 relative to the support element 703
and substantially eliminates unwanted rotation and/or translation
of the slide 243.
The lip 749 can be movable between the uncompressed configuration
and the compressed configuration without contacting the outer
sidewall 739 of the trench 737. As best shown in FIG. 28, even in
the compressed configuration, a gap 771 can remain between the
sealing member lip 749 and the outer sidewall 739 of the trench
737. For example, the lip 749 can be configured to deflect
primarily in a direction perpendicular to the backside surface 243a
of the slide 243. The lip 749 can be sufficiently stiff to prevent
any rotation of the slide 243 about a vertical axis. As such, the
slide 243 can rotationally fixed relative to the support surface.
Although (in the compressed state) the lip 749 can be separated
from the outer sidewall 739, the lip 749 is configured to
physically contact the sidewall(s) of the trench 737 to inhibit
movement of the slide 243 relative to the support element 703. For
example, as shown in FIG. 56, the lip 749 or other portion of the
sealing member 709 can be configured to physically contact the
outer sidewall 739 of the trench 737 when the slide 243 is rotated
about its vertical axis (e.g., at least about 2 degrees). Because
of the non-round shape of both the sealing member 709 and the
opening 745 in the first portion 733, the outer sidewalls 747 of
the trench 737 limit rotation of the sealing member 709 (e.g., by
exerting a contact force CF) and thus the slide 743.
The slide holder platen 701 can include additional features. For
example, the slide holder platen 701 can include one or more
sensors 759 (FIG. 27) to detect the presence of the slide 243
and/or activate the vacuum source 717. In some embodiments, the
slide holder platen 701 can include one or more sensors to monitor
the pressure generated within the vacuum chamber 757. In particular
embodiments, the slide holder platen 701 can be in communication
with a controller that can control the timing and/or magnitude of
the vacuum source 717. In one embodiment, the sensor 759 can be
configured to detect a change in vacuum pressure as would occur
when the slide 243 engages the sealing member 709 and the vacuum is
drawn via the vacuum port 721 to pull the slide 243 against the
sealing member 709 to maintain a seal (e.g., an airtight seal).
Accordingly, the sensor 759 can detect the presence of the slide
243 at the slide holder platen 701.
The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide
further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the
embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. For
example, a seal element can have a one-piece or multi-piece
construction and can include any number of retention features. In
general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be
construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed
in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to
include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of
equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the
claims are not limited by the disclosure.
* * * * *